I've Gotta Be Me: SATB Choral Octavo

Larry Shackley's arrangement captures the infectious appeal that made this song a standard across generations while giving your choir room to shine. The shift from 6/8 swagger into a driving final section gives singers a real dramatic arc to work with, and the charted instrumental parts option lets you amplify that impact without stretching your rehearsal time.

An anthem of self-affirmation wrapped in a laid-back, swinging groove. The piece radiates confidence and warmth before building into something undeniably energetic, giving singers the chance to perform both intimate expression and full-voiced celebration within a single piece.

SATB choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with genuine Broadway roots and proven audience appeal. This works equally well in show choirs, concert choirs, and pop ensembles seeking material that feels current without sacrificing musical substance.

• Establish the 6/8 groove as genuinely syncopated rather than simply melodic. The opening section lives in the pocket, so lock the rhythm section's feel early and build everything else from there.
• Balance solo moments with ensemble cohesion. If you're featuring a soloist for verses, ensure the full choir knows exactly when to blend back in for maximum impact on that hot ending.
• The modulation into the final section needs real energy shift, not just louder dynamics. Encourage singers to reset their breath and posture as you transition into the uptempo close.
• Reference the recorded accompaniment to hear how the arrangement balances the vocal parts against the instrumental texture. This helps singers understand where their line sits in the mix.

Use this as a closing number on a pop or contemporary choral concert, where its confidence and forward momentum send audiences out on a high note. It also pairs well with other standards in a mixed-genre show choir program, providing a bridge between Broadway classics and modern pop arrangements.

• Singing in 6/8 meter with rhythmic accuracy and groove awareness
• Navigating tempo changes and key modulations
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures within a single arrangement
• Performing with stylistic authenticity in a contemporary pop context